Spiritual Inventory
Text: Luke 15:17  IBCSWS   December 28, 2003
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

   Inventory is of a great value in all aspects of life.
Its importance must not be disregarded but must be well-
appreciated. Every year end, inventory is a part of every
organization, big and small, non-profit and profit-
oriented entities. Inventory is a way of knowing what
happened, what is happening, and most all, what to look
forward in the future. The same is true with every
individual - self-evaluation is greatly needed for
improvement of ones self: A person who does not practice
self-evaluation has the possibility to be deceived and to
be destroyed. Without self-searching, we could not see
ourselves in reality.

   Christians should be aware of the value and blessings
of self-evaluation. We are in a busy world and there is
always the danger of overlooking the questionable areas of
our life. We could be too critical to others, but remain
neglectful when it comes to our dirty spots of life. We
need the help of God in order to have a well-evaluated
life.

   In Psalm 139:23-24, David said, Search me, O God, and
know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if
there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting. Honest spiritual inventory is attained
through humility on the part of a believer and through the
working of the Lord.

   Spiritual inventory helps us to see who we really are
according to Gods view point. Consistent inventory from
time to time shapes and leads us to spiritual consistency.
As we consider our spiritual needs, we could also sort out
things that are worthless. The worthless and none
essential things in our lives must be put away and the
needful things must be desired and embraced for our
spiritual edification. Spiritual cleansing is an excellent
outcome of spiritual inventory.

   The parable of the lost son is a very simple story, yet
it has a weighty spiritual lesson not to be avoided, but
to be put into practice. Demonstrating these Biblical
principles in our lives surely glorify our Heavenly
Father.           
     
(I) We Must Consider Ourselves
     Luke 15:17
     -Self-realization
     -Self-evaluation

   The prodigal son had a different outlook of life and an
indifferent attitude toward his father, until he came to
himself. He was not aware of his unwise money management
which led him to deep poverty. He could not resist the
enticement of the devil. His foolishness and evil desires
led him to spiritual poverty. Truly, we must consider our
ways.  

(II) We Must Know Our Gains And Loses
     -Material and spiritual gain
     -Material and spiritual loses
      Luke 15:14-18

   One good reason why we need to have spiritual inventory
is to know and evaluate our spiritual performance. Through
this process, we could see our spiritual condition. In
many cases, material loss is an unpleasant consequence of
unmonitored spiritual life. God permits this to happen in
order to catch our attention that we may take heed to His
message and keep right with Him. It also reminds us to put
our trust in the Lord and not in our own way of
understanding. The prodigal son realized his loses when he
came to himself.   

(III) We Must Know How To Resolve
       Luke 15: 18-20
      -With determination
      -With humility
      -With repentant heart
      -With spiritual intelligence

   In the process of self-inventory, as we see our
failures and blunders of life, our crucial decision plays
an important role in restoring things and attaining good
success in the future. Spiritual determination is an
advantage to reach success. Humility is a God-given
principle to enjoy Gods grace. Repentant heart touches
Gods heart of compassion. Spiritual intelligence is a
gift from God, and freely given to those who have a
contrite heart. Eventually, it leads them to walk in the
path of wisdom.      

(IV) We Must Rejoice In Our Success
       Luke 15:21-32
       -Spiritual healing
       -Spiritual direction
       -Spiritual progress

   In every failure there is lesson to be learned. The
lost son learned many lessons through his unpleasant
experiences, but through spiritual inventory, he saw what
is essential for his spiritual restoration.

   In every success we must know how to rejoice in the
Lord. In Luke 15:32 it is written, It was meet that we
should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was
dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

   New Year is coming! May we realize the importance of
spiritual inventory and take time to evaluate ourselves
through the help of God. Spirit-guided inventory is the
key to a better spiritual life. May the grace of God be
manifested as we deepen our desire to have a well-
evaluated life. May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in
every thing we do and in every success we attain.